Italy 2005, Sorrento, Sunday 04.09.2005
On Sunday Dave, Mathew and I take the train to Napels as we three booked ourselfs a hostel in Sorento which lies south of Napels. It took us about 3 hours to get from Rome to Napels as we sort of took the slowest train we could get. On the other hand we only paid 10€ per person for the ride.
From Napels we take a more slower local train to Sorrento which also passes Pompeii on the way to it.
As we arrive in Sorrento, fully packed we walk through the town and along the road up the hill to the hostel. To bad the hostel is the last house on top of it. The receptionist makes us aware that „by the way, there is a bus driving each 20 minutes!“.
Italy 2005, Sorrento - Pompeii, Monday 05.09.2005
Today visiting Pompeii and climbing the Vesuves is on the program. From Sorrento we take the same train that brought us here yesterday to Pompeii. Arriving at Pompeii wannabe tourguides advise us to take a tour with them, but as we decide to use the audio tour he somehow really got pissed off. With the audio tour devices we walk through Pompeii for about the next three hours. But even after this long time I didn’t see everything. Very impressive is the Villa dei Misteri and the Terme Stabiane.
After finishing hour tour through Pompeii we just made it to get the last bus up to the Vesuves. They might put a sign their so people will know were the bus leaves...it certainly eases things.
To get to the top of the Vesuves by guide book says its a 45 minute walk. The sign at the entrance says its only a 25 minute walk. We achieve the walk in 10-15 minutes (that hurts in the legs).
From the top of the Vesuves a beautiful view of the surrounding cities (Napels, Pompeii) is given. Just as we decide to take a group picture on top of the mountain the weather changes dramatically. Thunderstorm, lightning, rain and hail arrives the Vesuves in, it seems, just seconds. So we got stuck on the mountain.
Italy 2005, Sorrento, Tuesday 06.09.2005
Yesterday we decided we wanted to do a scooter tour. Eventhough I do not have the drivers licence for motorbikes the scooter rental just gives me a 125cc scooter. From early in the morning until just before it gets dark we drive along the coast line. To be more specific: From Sorrento to Maioi via Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and back again.
We turned back to the hostel all by hourself. Mathew was downtown hitting the internet and I just returned from a shower as one of the girls of the hostel knocked on the door. I had to come with her donwstairs. Downstairs Dave was waiting next to his scooter with a really heavilly swollen right foot. He tells me he had an accident. The girl of the hostel brings us to the hospital were photos made of his foot tell him it is not broken. The rest of the evening we spent in the local Irish pub.
Italy 2005, Rome, Wednesday 07.09.2005
Leaving Dave behind with his foot he can not walk with, Mathew and I take the Train to Napels. In Napels Mathew takes the train to Salzburg. Before we split up we meet a guy from Israel wo doesn't know were or how to buy a train ticket to Rome. After having a little snack, Mathew and I split up and I take the Israeli guy to the train to Rome. During the ride he tells me some really weird but interessting stories from when he was serving the army.Arriving in Rome, it rains – to my surprise.
Getting back at the hostel Mona Lisa everybody who also knows Dave is having a real laugh when I tell the story from Dave and his scooter.